10 books every San Franciscan should read

September 16, 2013 4:00 AM

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The Maltese Falcon — Dashiell Hammett
No book captures the moodiness of San Francisco better than this classic detective novel. And it spawned an equally enduring film adaptation with Bogart defining the cool, noir antihero. less

The Maltese Falcon — Dashiell Hammett
No book captures the moodiness of San Francisco better than this classic detective novel. And it spawned an equally enduring film adaptation with Bogart defining the ... more

McTeague — Frank Norris
One of the strangest books ever written about San Francisco, ''McTeague'' is the quirky, disturbing tale of a brutish Irish dentist who pulls out his patients' teeth with his bare hands.
Although the book is a justification of naturalism, it beautifully captures the city as it was at the turn of the century, complete with day trips down to dunes that have been long since developed. less

McTeague — Frank Norris
One of the strangest books ever written about San Francisco, ''McTeague'' is the quirky, disturbing tale of a brutish Irish dentist who pulls out his patients' teeth with his bare ... more

Howl — Allen Ginsberg
San Francisco wouldn't be San Francisco without a dose of mania. Feel yourself in the grips of insanity (and the Beat movement) by reading Ginsberg's classic poem.
Fun fact: Part II of the poem is allegedly based on a drug hallucination Ginsberg had while looking at the St. Francis Drake Hotel. less

Howl — Allen Ginsberg
San Francisco wouldn't be San Francisco without a dose of mania. Feel yourself in the grips of insanity (and the Beat movement) by reading Ginsberg's classic poem.
Fun fact: Part II of ... more

On the Road — Jack Kerouac
Once you've had your fill of Ginsberg, go further into the Beat lifestyle with Kerouac's classic roadtrip novel. For a true Beat experience, pick up a copy of the book at City Lights Bookstore in North Beach. less

On the Road — Jack Kerouac
Once you've had your fill of Ginsberg, go further into the Beat lifestyle with Kerouac's classic roadtrip novel. For a true Beat experience, pick up a copy of the book at City ... more

Ishi in Two Worlds — Theodora Kroeber
Long before the 49ers made San Francisco world-famous, the land belonged to the Native Americans. ''Ishi in Two Worlds'' tells the tale of the Ishi, the last member of his tribe. Tragic, powerful and important reading for those hoping to understand the region. less

Ishi in Two Worlds — Theodora Kroeber
Long before the 49ers made San Francisco world-famous, the land belonged to the Native Americans. ''Ishi in Two Worlds'' tells the tale of the Ishi, the last member of ... more

Ishi in Two Worlds — Theodora Kroeber
Long before the 49ers made... Photo-5192097.70235 - seattlepi.com

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Cannery Row — John Steinbeck
We expanded our geographic boundaries for this one because the list wouldn't be complete without Steinbeck. ''Cannery Row'' fills the region with local color, from the bums on the street to Doc Ricketts, the marine biologist. less

Cannery Row — John Steinbeck
We expanded our geographic boundaries for this one because the list wouldn't be complete without Steinbeck. ''Cannery Row'' fills the region with local color, from the bums on ... more

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius — Dave Eggers
Perhaps it's been overhyped, but Eggers' Pulitzer Prize finalist remains an incredibly poignant and, yes, heartbreaking story about death and family. Berkeley residents will recognize many place settings too. less

A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius — Dave Eggers
Perhaps it's been overhyped, but Eggers' Pulitzer Prize finalist remains an incredibly poignant and, yes, heartbreaking story about death and family. ... more

Field Guide — Robert Hass
It's by no means his very best work, but local poet (and UC Berkeley professor) Robert Hass' first published collection is deeply inspired by life in the Bay Area. ''On the Coast Near Sausalito'' is a particularly haunting portrait of the bay. less

Field Guide — Robert Hass
It's by no means his very best work, but local poet (and UC Berkeley professor) Robert Hass' first published collection is deeply inspired by life in the Bay Area. ''On the Coast ... more

Field Guide — Robert Hass
It's by no means his very best... Photo-5192100.70235 - seattlepi.com

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The Joy Luck Club — Amy Tan
The rich history of Chinese Americans is inextricably linked to the City. Amy Tan's bestseller follows the lives of Chinese immigrant mothers and their daughters as navigate new lives and old relationships in San Francisco. less

The Joy Luck Club — Amy Tan
The rich history of Chinese Americans is inextricably linked to the City. Amy Tan's bestseller follows the lives of Chinese immigrant mothers and their daughters as navigate new ... more

The Joy Luck Club — Amy Tan
The rich history of Chinese... Photo-5192101.70235 - seattlepi.com

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Tales of the City — Armistead Maupin
Naturally, no San Francisco collection would be complete without Tales of the City.

Tales of the City — Armistead Maupin
Naturally, no San Francisco collection would be complete without Tales of the City.

Tales of the City — Armistead Maupin
Naturally, no San Francisco... Photo-5192102.70235 - seattlepi.com

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BONUS FILM: Vertigo
A great film is as thought-provoking and complex as a novel, and ''Vertigo'' certainly fits the bill. No one has shot San Francisco and the surrounding area more beautifully — and disconcertingly — than Alfred Hitchcock. You'll never see Fort Point the same way again. less

BONUS FILM: Vertigo
A great film is as thought-provoking and complex as a novel, and ''Vertigo'' certainly fits the bill. No one has shot San Francisco and the surrounding area more beautifully — and ... more

Photo: Paramount Pictures

BONUS FILM: Vertigo
A great film is as thought-provoking and... Photo-5192103.70235 - seattlepi.com